NOVEL STEROID 5 a -REDUCTASE

摘要

The invention provides an isolated, novel steroid 5a-reductase enzyme termed SRD5AIIL The protein has an estimated molecular weight of 37 kDa and is capable of converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone at a pH of about 7.0. Also provided is a method for identifying inhibitors of SRD5 AIII by contacting SRD5 AIII with a test compound and measuring the activity of the enzyme. A reduced activity relative to a control indicates that the test compound is an inhibitor of SRD5AIII. A method is also provided for detecting androgen stimulated prostate cancer or recurrent prostate cancer in an individual. The method comprises obtaining a prostate biopsy from an individual and determining the level of expression of SRD5ADI gene or protein relative to a normal control. An increased expression of SRD5AIII relative to the control is indicative of androgen stimulated prostate cancer or recurrent prostate cancer.